Flammability of Cellulose, Cellulose Acetate
and Cellulose Nitrate

Cellulose and how it burns

Activity 1: Flammability of Cellulose and its Derivatives

This activity will allow you to observe the combustion (that's burning to you and me) of cellulose and some of its derivatives. In order to answer the questions you'll need to be observant. Make a list of your observations. Feel free to watch the videos more than once.

View the video of the combustion of cellulose. Watch carefully. What happens? What do you think is produced?
Play the clip here.

View the video of the combustion of cellulose acetate. Watch carefully. What happens? How does this compare to the combustion of cellulose?
Play the clip here.

View the video of the combustion of cellulose nitrate. How does this compare to the combustion of cellulose and cellulose acetate?
Play the clip here.

Now answer the following questions:

1. Which sample burns the fastest? Why do you think this is the case?
2. Which sample do you think releases the most heat? Why?
3. Other than the speed of the combustion, what other differences did you observe?

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